Route 202 Bridge in
Bernardsville closed for emergency repairs

Route 202 will be detoured in
both directions due to flood damage

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced the emergency closure of the Route 202 Bridge over the Sluice Brook, just south of Douglas Avenue near mile post 34.6 in Bernardsville, Somerset County.

NJDOT crews discovered damage to a bridge abutment after heavy rains this weekend, and on Sunday closed the bridge in both directions due to safety concerns. The following detour will be in place:

Route 202 southbound

• Traffic will be directed to turn left on Meeker Road, then left on Pill Hill, then right on Mt. Airy Road/Whitenack Road and left back onto Route 202 southbound

Route 202 northbound

• Traffic will be directed to turn right onto Whitenack Road, then left onto Meeker Road, and right back onto Route 202 northbound

The heavy localized rains and flooding resulted in the partial failure of a bridge abutment. Structural evaluation teams are on the scene today evaluating the bridge and the extent of the damage to determine the best course of action to repair the bridge and reopen the highway. It is unclear how long Route 202 will remain closed at this time.

The suspension of Transportation Trust Fund projects, which took effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 8, was done in order to ensure NJDOT has funds available to respond to unexpected emergency work, such as the damage to Route 202 caused by the recent heavy rains and flooding.

Variable message signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT's traffic information website, www.511nj.org, for real-time travel information and plan their trips accordingly.